ING Belgium is rolling out a new anti-fraud feature this week designed to protect customers from phone scams, following its success in the Netherlands where it reduced helpdesk fraud by 43 percent in 2024.
The feature, known as “Check the Call”, enables users to instantly verify whether a caller claiming to be an ING employee is genuine. Already in use by over 10,000 Dutch customers each month, the tool is now being introduced to the Belgian market, marking a first of its kind in the country.
“This type of fraud is sadly becoming more common in Belgium, causing both emotional and financial harm,” said ING Belgium CEO Peter Adams. “I’m proud that with ‘Check the Call’, we can help our customers recognise and prevent these kinds of scams.”
The initiative comes amid rising concern over bank-related fraud in Belgium. New research conducted by iVOX reveals that 61 percent of Belgians have been confronted with attempted fraud, with phishing via SMS and telephone identified as the most frequent methods. Alarmingly, 40 percent of those affected report financial losses.
The “Check the Call” tool is also being introduced in Italy, expanding its reach across Europe as banks face increasing pressure to tackle sophisticated scams that exploit consumer trust.
In the Netherlands, where the feature was first launched, 78 percent of users said they feel more resilient against fraud attempts thanks to the tool.
With this launch, ING aims to set a new standard in digital banking security and equip customers with practical tools to stay one step ahead of scammers.
